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Sponge

//spʌnd͡ʒ// noun, verb, slang

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    Any of various marine invertebrates of the phylum Porifera, that have a porous skeleton often of silica. countable
  2. 2
    primitive multicellular marine animal whose porous body is supported by a fibrous skeletal framework; usually occurs in sessile colonies wordnet
  3. 3
    A piece of porous material used for washing (originally made from the invertebrates, now often made of plastic). countable

    "She removed Stranleigh’s coat with a dexterity that aroused his imagination. The elder woman returned with dressings and a sponge, which she placed on a chair."

  4. 4
    a follower who hangs around a host (without benefit to the host) in hope of gain or advantage wordnet
  5. 5
    The porous material that synthetic washing sponges are made of. uncountable
Show 14 more definitions
  1. 6
    someone able to acquire new knowledge and skills rapidly and easily wordnet
  2. 7
    A heavy drinker. countable, informal, uncountable
  3. 8
    a porous mass of interlacing fibers that forms the internal skeleton of various marine animals and usable to absorb water or any porous rubber or cellulose product similarly used wordnet
  4. 9
    A type of light cake. countable, uncountable
  5. 10
    A type of steamed pudding. British, countable, uncountable
  6. 11
    A person who takes advantage of the generosity of others (abstractly imagined to absorb or soak up the money or efforts of others like a sponge). countable, slang, uncountable
  7. 12
    A person who readily absorbs ideas. countable, uncountable

    "For this reason, we need to think of our children as sponges of information and watch their sources carefully. We also need to always model appropriate behaviour, as we are a constant source of new information."

  8. 13
    A form of contraception that is inserted vaginally; a contraceptive sponge. countable
  9. 14
    Any sponge-like substance.; Dough before it is kneaded and formed into loaves, and after it is converted into a light, spongy mass by the agency of the yeast or leaven. countable, uncountable
  10. 15
    Any sponge-like substance.; Iron from the puddling furnace, in a pasty condition. countable, uncountable
  11. 16
    Any sponge-like substance.; Iron ore, in masses, reduced but not melted or worked. countable, uncountable
  12. 17
    A mop for cleaning the bore of a cannon after a discharge. It consists of a cylinder of wood, covered with sheepskin with the wool on, or cloth with a heavy looped nap, and having a handle, or staff. countable, uncountable

    "The great guns ranged along the deck — each bound fast by its new breechings — with their linstocks and sponges and ladles and rammers, made no idle show of warlike strength."

  13. 18
    The extremity, or point, of a horseshoe, corresponding to the heel. countable, uncountable
  14. 19
    A nuclear power plant worker routinely exposed to radiation. countable, slang, uncountable
Verb
  1. 1
    To take advantage of the kindness of others. intransitive, slang

    "The fly is an intruder, and a common smell-feast, that spunges upon other Peoples Trenchers."

  2. 2
    gather sponges, in the ocean wordnet
  3. 3
    To get by imposition; to scrounge. transitive

    "“[…] They talk of you as if you were Croesus—and I expect the beggars sponge on you unconscionably.” And Vickers launched forth into a tirade very different from his platform utterances. He spoke with extreme contempt of the dense stupidity exhibited on all occasions by the working classes."

  4. 4
    wipe with a sponge, so as to clean or moisten wordnet
  5. 5
    To deprive (somebody) of something by imposition. transitive

    "How came such multitudes of our nation […] to be sponged of their plate and their money?"

Show 8 more definitions
  1. 6
    soak up with a sponge wordnet
  2. 7
    To clean, soak up, or dab with a sponge.
  3. 8
    erase with a sponge; as of words on a blackboard wordnet
  4. 9
    To suck in, or imbibe, like a sponge.
  5. 10
    ask for and get free; be a parasite wordnet
  6. 11
    To wipe out with a sponge, as letters or writing; to efface; to destroy all trace of.

    "Lett the eyes which have looked on Idols, sponge out their unlawfull acts"

  7. 12
    To be converted, as dough, into a light, spongy mass by the agency of yeast or leaven. intransitive
  8. 13
    To use a piece of wild sponge as a tool when foraging for food.

    "Why do dolphins sponge instead of foraging in a more "normal" way?"

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English sponge, from Old English spunge, taken from Latin spongia, from Ancient Greek σπογγιά (spongiá), from σπόγγος (spóngos).

Etymology 2

From Middle English sponge, from Old English spunge, taken from Latin spongia, from Ancient Greek σπογγιά (spongiá), from σπόγγος (spóngos).

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